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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (July 6) repeated its call for vigilance against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus (EV) infections following investigation into a case of neurological complications due to EV infection.
The patient is a two-month-old baby boy with good past health. He presented with fever, rash over his legs and poor feeding on July 1 and was admitted to United Christian Hospital the next day. He is now in stable condition.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate and cerebrospinal fluid specimens tested positive for EV71. The clinical diagnosis is EV71 infection related meningitis.
The patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic.
The spokesman called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene during the current HFMD outbreaks and to adopt the following measures to prevent HFMD and EV infection:
* Maintain good indoor air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other stool soiled materials;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are made dirty by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with 1:49 diluted household bleach, followed by rinsing/wiping with clean water;
* Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted; and
* Avoid going to overcrowded places.
Ends/Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:31
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